PEQ (Programme de l\u2019expérience québécoise) was abolished on November 19, 2025, but the Quebec government temporarily reopened it for two years, from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028. The first application window runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026 and is reserved for people who already met the PEQ reception criteria (a Quebec diploma, or at least two years of eligible Quebec work experience) as of November 19, 2025.

What replaced PEQ for Quebec immigration?

Quebec\u2019s skilled worker route is now the PSTQ (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés), which replaced the former PRTQ in November 2024 and operates through the Arrima expression-of-interest system. The flow: build an Arrima profile → the system scores you on points (heavy French weight) → wait for an MIFI invitation → apply for the CSQ → file federal PR with IRCC.

How much French does the PSTQ require?

The PSTQ requires spoken level 7 plus written level 5 on the Quebec scale (TEER 3–5 occupations need spoken level 5 only). The competitive reality is four-skill NCLC 7 — Arrima is points-based and candidates without strong French plus Quebec credentials rarely receive invitations.

What\u2019s the difference between TCF Canada and TCF Québec?

Same organization (France Éducation International), same format (39 reading + 39 listening + 3 writing + 3 speaking), same difficulty — but different administrative purposes. TCF Québec is designated for Quebec immigration (CSQ / Arrima); TCF Canada is designated for federal immigration (Express Entry / PNP / citizenship). Quebec\u2019s accepted-tests list can change — verify at quebec.ca/en/immigration before booking.

Does Quebec accept TCF Canada scores?

Yes. Quebec\u2019s Ministère de l\u2019Immigration (MIFI) now accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada alongside TCF Québec, TEFAQ, TCF, TEF, DELF and DALF for its programs. Quebec historically required TCF Québec or TEFAQ, so verify the current accepted-tests list at quebec.ca before booking.

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Quebec Immigration 2026: PEQ & French Requirements

Who is this for

Immigration candidates who were planning to use PEQ and now need to understand the new Quebec immigration pathways, as well as anyone considering Quebec as their destination province.

At a glance

PEQ was abolished in November 2025, then temporarily reopened from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028 (first application window: July 2 to October 31, 2026). This guide covers Quebec's current immigration pathways through Arrima and the PSTQ, French language requirements, which French tests are accepted, and how TCF Canada fits into your Quebec PR strategy in 2026.

Quebec Immigration 2026: PEQ Reopening & French Requirements

Claire AI — TCF Canada Prep Platform Editorial Team · Updated: 2026-10-05

PEQ Was Abolished — Then Reopened Temporarily.

The Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) — Quebec's fast-track immigration pathway for temporary workers and international graduates — was abolished on November 19, 2025, but the Quebec government temporarily reopened it for two years, from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028. A first application window runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026, reserved for people who already met the PEQ reception criteria (a Quebec diploma, or at least two years of eligible work experience in Quebec) as of November 19, 2025.

Quebec immigration rules changed three times between 2024 and 2026. Treat every requirement below as current-as-of-today and verify against the official MIFI portal before you plan.

Beyond this temporary reopening, Quebec's permanent immigration operates primarily through the Arrima expression-of-interest system. Over the long term, the skilled worker route is the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), which replaced the former PRTQ in November 2024. This guide explains how the system works, what French language requirements apply, and whether TCF Canada is the right test for your Quebec immigration goals in 2026.

Quebec's Current Immigration Pathways (2026)

Quebec offers several permanent immigration programs through different streams:

1. Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ)

This is Quebec's main skilled worker program, managed through the Arrima portal. It replaced the former Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) on November 29, 2024. Candidates file an expression of interest (déclaration d'intérêt) in Arrima; Quebec then invites candidates to apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) through one of four streams, based on the main occupation declared.

How it works:

Create an Arrima profile: Submit your education, work experience, language scores, and other details
Receive a score: Quebec assigns points based on your profile (age, education, work experience, French proficiency, job offer, etc.)
Wait for an invitation: Quebec periodically invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)
Apply for CSQ: Submit a full application with supporting documents
Apply for federal PR: Once you receive a CSQ, apply to IRCC for permanent residence

2. The four PSTQ streams (volets)

The PSTQ covers all occupations on the Quebec labour market through four streams. Quebec determines which stream you may be invited into from the main occupation you declare in Arrima and its NOC (CNP) TEER category:

Volet 1 — Haute qualification et compétences spécialisées: TEER 0, 1 or 2 occupations, with at least 12 months of experience in the main occupation in the last 5 years
Volet 2 — Compétences intermédiaires et manuelles: TEER 3, 4 or 5 occupations, with at least 24 months of experience, including at least 12 months in Quebec
Volet 3 — Professions réglementées: Occupations that require authorisation from a Quebec regulatory body
Volet 4 — Talents d'exception: Exceptional talent profiles, with at least 36 months of experience

3. Other Quebec pathways

Quebec Business Immigration: For entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed workers
Family Sponsorship: Sponsored by a Quebec resident (separate from federal family sponsorship)
Refugee and Humanitarian Programs: Managed jointly with federal government

French Language Requirements for Quebec Immigration

Quebec places the highest emphasis on French proficiency of any Canadian province. French is not just a bonus in Quebec — it is functionally a requirement for most economic immigration pathways.

Minimum French Requirements

Quebec sets its French requirements on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français, where level 7 corresponds to CEFR B2 and level 5 to CEFR B1. The minimum depends on the PSTQ stream and on the TEER category of your main occupation:

PSTQ stream	Minimum French level
Volet 1 — Haute qualification	Oral: level 7 (B2); Written: level 5 (B1)
Volet 2 — Compétences intermédiaires	Oral: level 5 (B1); no written requirement
Volet 3 — Professions réglementées	Oral: level 7 (B2) for TEER 0-2, level 5 (B1) for TEER 3-5; Written: level 5 (B1) for TEER 0-2
Volet 4 — Talents d'exception	No French level requirement
Accompanying spouse (streams 1-3)	Oral: level 4

Key point: These are minimum admission thresholds, not a ranking score. Invitations are issued to the highest-ranked profiles in Arrima, so a stronger French result still improves your chances even where the minimum is lower.

Accepted French Tests for Quebec

Test	Accepted for Quebec?	Notes
TCF Québec	Yes — primary test	Specifically designed for Quebec immigration (CSQ applications)
TEFAQ	Yes	TEF adapté pour le Québec — Quebec-specific version of TEF
TCF Canada	Yes	Accepted by Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration (MIFI) for the PSTQ and PEQ — verify at quebec.ca
TEF Canada	Yes	Also accepted by the Ministère for Quebec programs
DELF/DALF	Limited	May be accepted as proof of French level but not for point calculation in all cases

Critical distinction — TCF Canada vs TCF Québec: These are two different tests, both administered by France Éducation International with the same format (39 reading, 39 listening, 3 writing tasks, 3 speaking tasks). The key difference is administrative:

TCF Québec is specifically designated for Quebec immigration (CSQ applications through Arrima)
TCF Canada is designated for federal immigration (Express Entry, PNP, citizenship)

Historically, Quebec required TCF Québec (or TEFAQ) for its immigration programs, but the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration now accepts several tests, including TCF Canada and TEF Canada, alongside TCF Québec, TEFAQ, TCF, TEF, DELF and DALF. Before registering, verify the current list of accepted tests on the Quebec immigration website.

Our recommendation for dual-track candidates: If you plan to apply to both Quebec (Arrima/PSTQ) and federal (Express Entry), a single TCF Canada sitting can serve both applications, since Quebec now accepts TCF Canada scores. The exam format and difficulty are identical, so your preparation with our platform applies equally to both systems.

Alternatives to a French test

For the PSTQ you do not necessarily have to sit a French test. The Ministère also accepts:

Accepted French-language secondary diplomas: the French general, vocational or technological baccalauréat, the Belgian CESS, or the Swiss maturity certificate from a French-speaking canton
Documents from a Quebec professional order: a regular permit to practise (valid, or expired within the last two years) or proof of passing the OQLF exam within the last two years. These are accepted only for Volet 3 (regulated professions).

Otherwise you must submit a French test result, and it must be less than two years old on the date you apply.

How French Works in Arrima

Quebec no longer publishes a fixed selection grid with a pass mark the way the old PRTQ did. Instead, the Ministère ranks declarations of interest in Arrima and issues invitations separately in each of the four PSTQ streams, with a published cut-off score for every invitation round. French proficiency is decisive: it determines whether you meet the stream's minimum level and it weighs heavily in your ranking.

Practical consequence: because the minimum for the high-skilled streams is already B2 oral (level 7), B2 (level 7) in French is the entry threshold rather than a competitive edge. Above that threshold, your occupation, experience, education, age and your spouse's French drive your ranking.

Quebec vs Express Entry: Which Path Is Better?

With the PEQ reopening limited to candidates who already qualified by November 19, 2025, many candidates now face a choice: pursue Quebec immigration through Arrima, or pivot to federal Express Entry. Here is an honest comparison:

Factor	Quebec (Arrima)	Federal Express Entry
French weight	Very high — functionally required	High bonus but not required
English relevance	Low — minimal points for English	High — bilingual bonus for both
Processing time	CSQ: 6-12 months; then federal PR: 6-12 months	6-12 months total (after ITA)
Two-step process	Yes (CSQ first, then federal PR)	No (single application)
Francophone draws	Not applicable (separate system)	Yes — 2026 cutoffs 382–420
Job offer advantage	A validated job offer supports your Arrima ranking	No CRS points for a job offer since March 25, 2025
Best for	Candidates already in Quebec, French-dominant, with Quebec connections	Global candidates, bilingual, no Quebec ties required

Our Recommendation

Choose Quebec (Arrima) if:

You already live or work in Quebec
You have a validated job offer from a Quebec employer
You are French-dominant with limited English
You graduated from a Quebec educational institution

Choose Express Entry if:

You are bilingual (French + English) — the 50-point bilingual bonus is powerful
You do not have specific ties to Quebec
You want a faster, single-step process
You want access to francophone-specific draws with very low CRS cutoffs (382-420 in 2026)

Consider both simultaneously: There is no rule against having an Arrima profile while also being in the Express Entry pool. If you have strong French, submitting to both systems maximizes your chances. Use the same TCF Canada score for both applications.

Practical Timeline for Quebec Immigration in 2026

If You Have French Test Scores Already

Create Arrima profile — takes 1-2 hours online
Wait for invitation — depends on your score and Quebec's draw schedule
Submit CSQ application — within 60 days of invitation
Receive CSQ — 6-12 months processing
Apply for federal PR — 6-12 months additional processing

Total estimated time: 12-24 months from profile creation to PR

If You Need to Take the French Test First

Prepare for TCF Canada — the time varies with your starting level, native language and weekly hours
Take the test — results in about 15 working days
Create Arrima profile with scores
Continue from step 2 above

Total estimated time: 12-24 months from profile creation to PR, plus however long your preparation takes.

How to Prepare for Quebec Immigration

Whether you choose Quebec or Express Entry, the preparation is the same: reach NCLC 7 (B2) on TCF Canada. This score:

Clears the highest French threshold required by any PSTQ stream (level 7 / B2 oral)
Qualifies you for Express Entry francophone draws (NCLC 7 minimum)
Unlocks the Express Entry bilingual bonus: +50 CRS points when English is CLB 5+ in all four skills, or +25 when English is CLB 4 or lower (or no English test)
Meets or exceeds the minimum for virtually all Canadian immigration programs

Our platform provides everything you need to reach NCLC 7:

5,500 practice questions covering A1 to C2
Complete mock test sets — 100 free questions, no credit card required
Live speaking — Tasks 1–2 with an AI examiner, Task 3 recorded and scored. Sample answers are free to view and do not use the 6 free sessions
AI writing correction with sentence-level feedback on accuracy, coherence, and task completion
NCLC score calculator to track your progress toward your target

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still apply through PEQ?
Only if you already qualified. PEQ was abolished on November 19, 2025, then temporarily reopened from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028. A first application window runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026, reserved for people who already met the PEQ reception criteria (a Quebec diploma, or at least two years of eligible work experience in Quebec) as of November 19, 2025. Applications submitted before the abolition are also still being processed.

Is TCF Canada accepted for Quebec immigration?
Yes. Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration now accepts TCF Canada (as well as TCF Québec, TEFAQ, TCF, TEF, TEF Canada, DELF and DALF) for its programs, including the PSTQ and the reopened PEQ. The tests share the same format and difficulty, so a single TCF Canada sitting can serve both Quebec and federal Express Entry. Verify the current accepted list at quebec.ca.

What French score do I realistically need for Arrima?
It depends on the stream. The high-skilled streams (Volet 1, and Volet 3 for TEER 0-2 occupations) require level 7 (B2) in oral French and level 5 (B1) in written French. Volet 2 requires level 5 (B1) oral only, and Volet 4 has no French requirement. Since invitations go to the highest-ranked profiles, a stronger French result still improves your chances.

Should I take TCF Canada or TCF Québec?
Either can work. TCF Québec is designed specifically for Quebec immigration (Arrima/CSQ), while TCF Canada is designed for federal immigration (Express Entry). However, Quebec now also accepts TCF Canada scores, so if you are targeting both Quebec and federal programs, TCF Canada alone can cover both. The exam format is identical — your preparation is the same. Verify the current accepted list at quebec.ca.

Can I apply to both Quebec and Express Entry at the same time?
Yes. There is no restriction on maintaining both an Arrima profile and an Express Entry profile simultaneously. This dual-track approach maximizes your chances of receiving an immigration invitation.

How is Quebec different from Express Entry for French speakers?
Quebec requires French but offers no special bonus for bilingualism. Express Entry offers a 50-point bilingual bonus and francophone-specific draws with very low CRS cutoffs. For bilingual candidates (French + English), Express Entry is often the faster and more advantageous path.